HC stays state's donation to Puja committees

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Friday put a stay order on the state government's decision to donate money to the Durga Puja committees.

The matter came up before the Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday, after it was filed on September 19. The Division Bench comprises acting Chief Justice Debasish Kar Gupta and Justice Sampa Sarkar. The court has also raised some questions on the decision of the government. The court wanted to know on what ground the state government was using the money from the exchequer for Durga Puja celebration and if there was any proper guideline to provide the money. The court has fixed the next date of hearing on October 9.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced a grant of Rs 28 crore to 28,000 puja committees across the state. Last month, she stated that her government would provide Rs 10,000 each to the puja committees under the community development programme.

Among the beneficiaries, as announced by the Chief Minister, there are 3,000 Puja committees in Kolkata and another 25,000 across the state. Durga Puja begins on October 15.

Banerjee hailed the High Court's decision in this regard, saying that they respect the verdict pronounced by the court. Responding to a question asked by the media, Banerjee on Friday said that her government has already provided the donation to the Puja organisers.